PART 2/3
The armed forces of nation states still resemble armies of the 20th century in structure and organization. This is true for both the superpowers and smaller states. However, local conflicts are now mostly resolved by private military companies (PMC).
The history of such private military companies is quite long. The first mention of commercial military organizations participating in local conflicts, and unofficially using the latest military prototypes, were first noted in the first decade of the 21st century. Within the following ten to fifteen years, outdated weaponry and machines were retired from military service due to generational change of equipment and the accelerated pace of technological advancement. These older vehicles were sold to private parties that served the interests of particular states. What is particularly important, they were the first to test prototypes of experimental combat walkers under field conditions.
As a result, the "equipment for loyalty" formula came into existence. Private military companies gained access to combat technologies (first with assembled machines, later with preassembled units, and 3D schematic drawings), and client states received feedback on the use of these vehicles in battle against similar armament used by potential enemies. The feedback collected in the field was complemented with the users' suggestions on further improvements. In this way, the leading states obtained experienced professional operators of modern machines, who were not bound by the restrictions of official military protocol.
A private military company in the middle of the 21st century had a budget, commander, and permanent staff. Commanders of most PMCs personally participate in operations using a command tank, combat walker, helicopter, or warship, depending on their personal preferences. These commanders are masters of warfare, tacticians, and aces. Many of them are tested veterans with over twenty years of combat experience.
The main strike force of a PMC is comprised of manned combat vehicles that are organized into squadrons and are supported by robots and drones. All manned machines are usually modified and improved to match their operators and their tactical objectives. The machines bear war paint and other individual marks, since every warrior has an insignia or badge of valor. The companies also have additional squads of autonomous and remotely controlled machines for reconnaissance, patrol, seizure, and defense of territories. They are usually followed by a control vehicle, engineer vehicles, mobile servers for conducting informational war and, if the company can afford it, by repair vehicles to restore damaged heavy machines.
Operators or pilots—those who personally operate machines in battle—are a minority among company personnel, who are mostly engineers, medics, programmers, drivers, accountants, and lawyers. In any case, the number of personnel in a PMC is considerably lower than the number of autonomous machines. By the standards of the 20th century, the battle group of a PMC is both a very small battle unit, since it includes only a few fully-featured combat machines, and a quite large one when judged by its fire power, its ability to manage and control territory, its own energy resources, AA defense systems, and transport, aviation, and repair-production capabilities.
PMCs are quite autonomous and can be quickly transferred to any location of the world using its global information systems, its vast resources, and its energy networks. PMC mercenary soldiers typically fight against the armed forces of low-level, less advanced regional players, or against other mercenaries. Since mercenaries usually oppose each other in territories of other states, in relatively bloodless conflicts, with little or no ideological loyalties, a sort of honor code naturally formed within their "society." The circle of military professionals is quite narrow; one way or another they all know each other from social networks or shared experience. For example, no one shoots at pilots who have ejected from a damaged machine. Pilots are not expendable, while drones are both cheap and numerous. There are also rules regarding prisoners and even the buying-out of restorable machines left in territories seized by the enemy.
Of course, long-lasting vendettas between some companies may occur; such conflicts continue until the complete destruction of the enemy. Also, there are those "outlaws" who ignore all rules and are treated by others in kind.
Since the forces of the opponents are usually similar and the big players behind the conflict do not want unneeded escalation, the hostilities often become formal competitions where each opponent tries to cause only enough damage to allow the opponent to make an honorable retreat.
These rules and codes of honor have resulted in the current stagnation of the PMC's ability to conduct true warfare, despite the fact that, unlike national armies, private military companies are constantly participating in wars. The PMC is a phenomenon caused by the first phase of the new technological revolution; it is said that the world will be shocked by the second phase. As it has happened many times throughout the history, the age of the ordinary mercenary is drawing to a close. What will fill its place remains to be seen...and perhaps to be feared.
TO BE CONTINUED...
